Dr. Rich Martin was a member of the class of 1962. He is a faculty member for Mercer University, but he lives in Montgomery, Ala. Much of his work requires him to be on the road in the Atlanta area. He took some time to answer questions for Lipcombsports.com.

What sport did you play at Lipscomb? What years? Who were your coaches?

"I played basketball from 1959 to 1962 and was captain of the 1961-1962 team, voted MVP of the VSAC tournament in 1961, and was a member of the NAIA All-District team in 1961. My coach was Dr. Charles Morris. I also participated on the track team in 1960 and 1962."

What is your fondest athletic memory at Lipscomb?

"My fondest athletic memory was beating Austin Peay in the championship game of the VSAC tournament my junior year. We were favored in the NAIA district tournament that year, but two of the senior starters were injured and were not able to play and we lost in the first game."

Who had the biggest influence on you during your athletic career at Lipscomb? How?

"Coach Morris had the greatest influence. He saw me play only once before offering me a full scholarship to Lipscomb. I was at Valparaiso University at the time, but academically ineligible. I was very appreciative of the opportunity and was motivated to not let him down."

What is your fondest non-athletic memory from your time at Lipscomb?

"My fondest memory is probably the same as many other former Lipscomb students – chapel and the socializing after chapel in the student center. It was a unique experience with the entire student body coming together."

What is the most valuable thing you gained or learned from your time at Lipscomb?

"The most valuable benefit of my Lipscomb experience is the Christian education and Christian atmosphere at Lipscomb. Although many students complained about having to attend Bible classes every day and chapel every day and receive only two credits, it was a great experience that I learned to value and appreciate later."

Who was your favorite professor? Why?

"My favorite professor was Dr. Jennings Davis, Jr. He had a quiet, confident presence and demeanor and a way of encouraging students to grow and succeed. I also enjoyed attending his evening sermons. Dr. Davis and Dr. Morris both were both instrumental in my motivation to earn a doctorate at Indiana University."

Where do you live now?

"I currently live in Montgomery, Ala., with my wife, Joyce, and daughter, Katie."

Who is your employer? What is your occupation? What does your position entail?

"I am on the faculty of Mercer University where I teach Public Safety graduate and undergraduate courses. I commute mostly to various sites in the Atlanta area. Prior to Mercer, I was a criminal justice department chair for 26 years at various schools, mostly in the Midwest.

"Since 1974, I have been developing criminal justice curriculum and programs and teaching. I retired from the state of Illinois in 2000 and moved to Ohio. Then I moved to Montgomery in 2007 to chair the Auburn Montgomery program and develop online degrees; I left in 2010 for a faculty-only position at Mercer"

Tell us about your family.

"I have three children - one son in Louisiana, one son and two granddaughters in Seattle, and a daughter that is a junior in college, playing basketball and is in AFROTC."